Thinking Global, Acting Local

Urbanisation and industrialisation have intensified environmental degradation, necessitating stronger governance, judicial intervention, and community participation to achieve sustainable urban development

- FR. JOHN FELIX RAJ & PRABHAT KUMAR DATTA

The need for protecting the natural environment was realised by human beings at the dawn of human history, as is evident from ancient texts. In India, for example, the voice for protecting the environment was heard in the hermitage of old saints who lived in forests.

The current concern for environmental sustainability owes its origin to the Industrial Revolution, which caused irreparable damage to the natural environment. Naturalist John Evelyn complained about the "hellish and dismal" cloud over London in 1661 due to air pollution from coal burning. The emergence of the concept of sustainable development at the Stockholm Conference, followed by the Rio Summit, highlighted the issue and its disastrous effects on human life.

Urbanisation and Environmental Degradation

Urban centers are more prone to environmental degradation due to the interlinkage between urbanisation and industrialisation. By 2007, half of the world's population lived in cities, contributing to 80% of the global GDP, but also responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. India's top 25 cities contribute to about 15% of GHG emissions. The latest Global Air Quality Report (2020) indicates that India is the third most polluted country in the world, with its capital being the most polluted capital city. According to the Climate Risk Index 2029, India was ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change.